Urban Green Growth Strategies for Indian Cities – Vol. 1

At a Glance

NEW DELHI – February 27, 2015 – Indian cities are at the core of the economic transformation envisaged by the Government of India. Considering the anticipated growth in cities, local governments face enormous challenges in providing urban infrastructure and services that match the growing demand sustainably while ensuring good quality of life for its citizens. In this context, green growth is an attractive alternative economic growth model.

The project on Green Growth Strategies for Indian Cities was started in January 2014. Implemented by ICLEI – Local governments for sustainability – South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) with support and technical inputs from the Global Green Growth Institute, the project has now concluded with the launch of its 3 volume report:

The initiative entailed developing a Green Growth framework for Indian cities, piloting the same for 10 Indian cities and compiling a set of 15 good practices relevant to the Indian urban context. This involved assessing the current status of growth of Indian cities, understanding emerging growth patterns and trends and developing strategies that can guide growth to achieve multiple development benefits while pursuing economic growth.

Over 15 Indian cities actively participated in this initiative that lasted over twelve months and contributed by sharing their good practices, challenges and perceptions of green growth in their cities.

As the national government launches new programs such as SMART cities, Swatch Bharat Abhiyan, Urban Renewal Mission and HRIDAY (Heritage Rejuvenation and Development) Scheme, the reports provide useful inputs to enable cities in pursuing an inclusive green growth agenda.

About the Urban Green Growth Strategies Program

The Urban Green Growth Strategies Program aims at defining green growth in the city context. Based upon assessment of sectoral profiles of ten geographically diverse cities, it develops a framework to balance the economic, social and environmental growth potential of Indian cities.

In parallel, recognizing that there are several successful ongoing initiatives, the program compiles a list of urban best practices and quantifies their benefits in the context of green growth. The applicability of these best practices to other Indian cities is demonstrated, by highlighting key aspects such as investment requirements, human resources, policy and institutional structures, technical capacity and financing options. Together, the framework and the best practices, provide a scientific basis for the cities to adopt an integrated approach to planning and investment, yielding multiple benefits.

The Urban Green Growth Program:

Defines a basis for cities to develop green growth strategies, integrating city development targets and sector-specific requirements.

Develops a framework for evaluation of urban green growth potential.

Identifies urban best practices in India, in the context of green growth principles